A Shift in Power (Shadow Claw Book 5)

by Sarah J. Stone

  One would have thought happiness was contagious, but it only seemed to aggravate him more. But he wasn’t alone. Abigail shifted uncomfortably in her seat. If she hadn’t known any better, she would’ve thought someone had spiked everyone’s drink. The mood was light, but she could smell diluted tension that was not all spread out. It was coming from one person only. She observed each and every one, opting to eye Kaia with more care and intensity. Her eyes finally settled on Samuel. His gaze met hers, and a silent understanding passed between them.

  Samuel and Abigail sat back in their seats, somewhat relieved that at least the two of them were aware of how disastrous it could be to become lax in this time and situation. Dahlia had been brought back, but it definitely was not the end of everyone’s problems – not Nina’s, not Ammara’s, not theirs. And it wasn’t that Abigail couldn’t understand that everyone was worn out and needed a break from negative emotions, but she felt it was way too soon to be celebratory. Should anything befall them soon, it would only hurt more.

  Her gaze kept shifting constantly to Kaia. Something about her certainly did not bode well. While Nina was resting, the Council had a talk with her to identify who she was and where she came from. Also, what had happened at the cottage. Samuel did not want to let that go easily, since the cottage was connected to Rowena. Somewhere in his heart, he hoped he could connect with her again, even though he knew it wasn’t desirable with the situation he was in. But his heart still tugged after all these years. It was actually starting to frustrate him. He felt sort of ashamed. He’d kept his distance from her for so long. For all he knew, she could be dead by now.

  Abigail announced her fill and moved away from the scene. To not raise too much suspicion, he scarfed down his meal and waited a while before taking his leave, but playfully mischievous eyes still followed after him. He gave them a deadpanned look. Everyone thought there was something going on between him and Abigail, but it certainly wasn’t true. They were extremely good friends, and it would remain platonic. He understood that he and Abigail were probably the only ones without romantic partners, but he would never dare to disrespect her and use her as a rebound from Rowena.

  Muttering words of annoyance under his breath, he ignored their calls and followed after Abigail with a straight back and demeanor of respect. He would not let anyone call after Abigail in such a manner. She deserved respect. Sure, everyone needed a romantic partner for support, but Abigail had always been too independent and headstrong. When it came to intimacy, she intimidated men. She intimidated everyone in every way, really, but she was equally as approachable. And that is what made Samuel respect her so immensely. She never needed anyone. If she gave and took, it was only because she wanted to and she could live well without her partner on her heel if she had to have one. Too independent, and Samuel admired every bit of it.

  Past the wisterias, he followed her. He could sense her alertness, and he, too, brought his guard up. Kaia was still very new but the information everyone held was too classified to be handed over to an unsuspecting and probably powerless witch. Who was even sure she was a powerless witch? The world held too many great actors. Like Hill. And how easily she had wrapped Gael around her finger and fooled him.

  They couldn’t afford to be careless.

  Abigail stopped and turned to him. He reached her, and she spoke quietly. “I can’t be the only one feeling something is off with Kaia.”

  “You’re not alone,” he sighed. “What did she tell you all?”

  “That she roamed around a lot and avoided people. Had no possessions to give. Feral and rogue. No name, no parents, nothing to trace her to. My best bet was that she was abandoned among humans, which would explain why she is powerless. She doesn’t even have much of a scent, keeping predators at bay, mostly. She’s weak because she never practiced. She can still be trained,” Abigail listed off. “Said she found Dahlia in a basket outside the cottage. She wouldn’t have gotten to the cottage in the first place had it not been because of Dahlia’s crying. The bottle was already in the basket. Whoever whisked Dahlia away wanted to make sure she stayed alive.”

  “And it had to be a powerless who came across her?” Samuel grunted. “We shouldn’t have let her in the territory. We never let unknown people enter. Kalen overestimates his powers. He couldn’t keep Dahlia from being taken, and now this. What on Earth has possessed them all?”

  “Ammara exuded too much calm,” Abigail noted, “so I guess that’s affecting everyone. But Ammara of all people should know better! I don’t understand what’s happening around here anymore.”

  “I would think everything has taken a toll on them with more intensity than it should have,” Samuel voiced his thoughts, “and we should make it our duty to keep watch. We’ve been through worse.”

  “Samuel, the worst is coming upon us!”

  “Well,” Samuel reddened, “yes, of course. I apologize.”

  “I won’t be able to sleep tonight.” She sighed, leaning forward to place her forehead onto his shoulder. She seemed exhausted. Abigail wasn’t one to be pitied, but he understood she was asking for support. So, he obliged and wrapped an arm around her, wanting to genuinely soothe her. Abigail found solace in the arms of her best friend and was instantly grateful. Romantic partner or not, she could deny what she had with Samuel was better than what anyone else had. Not intending to offend, of course. She appreciated Samuel. He was a genuine and sensitive man.

  After she had had her fill, she gently pulled away and suggested they patrol the premises together and chat until the feast had dispersed.

  ***

  Dahlia was the center of attention that evening as she lay in Kevin’s large hands, eyes squinting at everyone and grinning her toothless grin every now and then. She would giggle, coo, and reach her hands out and about at everyone. She was not shy and went comfortably to all who wanted to hold her.

  Kaia sat far away from the scene, feeling left out and desolate. She did not want to be here, and the scene disgusted and exhausted her. How could there be so much love and happiness in one place? The thought repulsed her. Maybe her past was to blame. She never had anyone to pamper and coddle her. No one to dote over and care for her. Her life had been a constant routine of abuse, disrespect, and running away. She thought she deserved it. She did not understand what was happening with her. She did not understand kindness, safety, and respect. She did not understand love. There was a time she craved it when she saw families passing by in town, old age couples, young lovers, and animals. It was a very short time, and not something she remembered wanting anymore.

  Feelings are a hindrance, she thought with the smirk of the devil, and these people have become a victim to it.

  Her face was soon wiped clean as Nina plopped down next to her, legs in a crisscross. Kaia took her knees away from her chest and adopted the same position. It was more comfortable. But then again, she did not care much for comfort. Yet, she had an image to maintain while she was still here for the sake of her mission. She did not plan it all for nothing.

  “Feeling left out?” Nina inquired carefully. Kaia put up her act and brought forth a nervous laugh.

  “Well, it’s not something I see a lot, so I guess it does make me uncomfortable,” Kaia played coy. “It must be a relief, though.”

  “Definitely,” Nina beamed, and it sickened Kaia to the core. She wanted to kill all of them. She wanted to spill blood so badly. What did they ever do to deserve this? What did she ever do to deserve becoming this way?

  “Anyway, do let us know if you need anything,” Nina continued. “You had quite a bit to drink, didn’t you? The bathroom is straight down and to the right from here.”

  “Umm, what’s a bathroom?”

  Nina blinked at her. Kaia felt proud of herself. She couldn’t let her character slip like she did at the cottage. With an uncomfortable chuckle, she explained it to her. Kaia nodded, mentally willing that Nina left her alone and at peace. Nina must’ve understood she wan
ted isolation, so she gave her a friendly smile and got up to leave. Once out of sight, she got up to head outside. She timidly approached a woman they called Cassie and asked if it was okay to use the bathroom. She gave her the friendliest permission, and Kaia left with ease. No one noticed her gone.

  Kaia stepped into the breeze. The sun had already disappeared behind the trees and left the sky a peaceful, dull blue. There were very little clouds, tracing the horizon like feathers. The forest was quiet, with only crickets singing a lullaby in the distance.

  Peaceful.

  She hated it. It was sickening.

  I’ll lose my mind if I stay here too long, she sighed mentally. I want out!

  It took a while before she found what she was looking for: the border between the fairy territory and the rest of the world. It was a shimmer of air all around that she could see through to the other side, and she did not dare touch it in fear that it could alert the fairy king. Recalling the path she had taken to get here, she thought through the rest of her plans and went back, hoping she hadn’t taken too long. Her powers let her know that she wasn’t being watched at all since she left, but that there were definitely two people who were suspicious of her. She knew who they were, but they did not seem to be in sight or aware of her disappearance from the rest of the people. And when she returned, everyone was too tired to care and were calling it a night, heading off to bed. Someone whose name she could not remember – Diana, she guessed – led her to a room and arranged a bed for her. With a sickening, pleasant smile, she left Kaia to herself.

  There was plenty of time before the moon rose to its highest peak. Nothing could happen before that. And she could use some rest to calm her sickened heart and raging gut from seeing so much affection. Seeing Nina and Kevin cuddled up with Dahlia, Cassie being carried away by Luke, Ammara being led by Kalen with his hand at the small of her back.

  She got into bed and forced herself to forget all she saw and sleep. All she wanted was sleep.

  ***

  Abigail could not sleep. She tossed and turned and jerked upright at every little noise and movement made. Her heart was not at ease, and her chest felt hollow. Something felt very, very wrong. As if the air itself had been polluted. And that was something since the air in fairy territory was extremely fresh and clean, no matter what took place.

  Her ears perked up to a small creak. It was silent enough to accidentally miss. She wondered if she even heard it, or if the stress was making her hallucinate. Nevertheless, she got up to inspect. And she was glad to do so.

  Kaia was out of bed, looking somewhat apprehensive of her surroundings. Abigail was sure to conceal herself, and Kaia stepped out confidently after deeming the coast clear. And she walked out and away into the woods.

  Abigail narrowed her eyes.

  I knew something was up about her, she growled internally. She had half a mind to wake Samuel, but realized she could not or she would lose Kaia. And so, she set on after her silently.

  ***

  In the other room lay Kevin, Nina, and Dahlia unaware of everything. Kevin was propped up on one elbow, staring at the sleeping forms lovingly. He didn’t want to fall asleep now. It warmed his body all over against the cold night to see them at so much peace. And with all that Nina had slept, not once was it perturbed by prophecies or visions. But it had been too long, and he figured he could expect it to happen any moment now. He didn’t want to be asleep or torn from it through such horror, anyway.

  Tracing a finger over his baby’s button nose, he pressed a kiss to her forehead, leaning over to do the same to Nina. His mate smiled faintly in her sleep, as if she felt it even in her state of unconsciousness. He pressed another to her cheek and wrapped his arm around the both of them, vowing in his heart to never let them out of his sight or be exposed to vulnerability ever again. He hated to admit it, but he had grown fearful. He feared losing them, he feared the danger, he feared for their sanity. He feared for his daughter’s future and the world she would grow up in. He feared it all.

  Truth be told, fear was never new to him. But it had always regarded things he could work past. But these fears? They were here to stay. And he feared that Dahlia and Nina would not be able to lead the normal lives they should because of it, but he had to make sure he built his women up strong enough to defend their own selves should he not be around to protect them.

  Their gentle breathing calmed him. Nina momentarily woke up, and Kevin was immediately alert to attend to her, but she dove toward him with Dahlia in her arms to snuggle up to his chest and fall into slumber again almost immediately. Kevin chuckled and encircled his arms around them protectively, thinking maybe he could get some rest tonight.

  ***

  Ammara watched them from behind the door, admiring Kevin’s care for her daughter. She could never understand the drastic change mating brought in male shifters. They would always be so uptight and macho before they found the one, and transitioning into harsh but sensitive puppies around their mates always astounded her.

  Her own harsh but sensitive puppy was right around the corner, stumbling around half-asleep, looking for her. Spotting her at their daughter and her mate’s door, he quietly walked over and wrapped and arm around her waist.

  “She found a good man,” Ammara whispered.

  “A fine man for a fine lady,” he sighed. “I wish I’d known where she was before to at least see her grow…”

  “It wasn’t just your fault, Kalen,” she murmured regretfully, “but it’s in the past now. Let’s use the time we have left with her to make the memories we can.”

  Kalen looked at her distraught. She made no promises, and it implied gravely when she talked of the time left. But he did not argue.

  “Let’s go to bed now. It’s late.”

  And she allowed herself to be led away by him to sleep. She could only hope she would be able to. Her heart had awakened from its intoxicated happiness.

  Something was going to go wrong very soon.

  Chapter Twelve

  Abigail’s sleep tugged at her eye lids in abandon, but she was determined to not let Kaia get away with whatever she was planning to do. Kaia seemed to be in no hurry for whatever it was, and headed directly north. No turns, just straight on. Taking her sweet time, she strolled into the forest.

  Trying to stay awake and aware, Abigail couldn’t tell if she was imagining what she felt and saw. The shadows clung to Kaia as she walked in the darkness, surrounding her in a halo of wispy shadows. The steps left the ground cold that could be felt even from a distance. She was definitely a witch, but not an ordinary one. Not too powerful either, but enough to do someone’s bidding and be sent here.

  They walked on. Kaia seemed tireless and unstoppable. It had been ten minutes, and there was no sign of her taking a rest. Abigail, on the other hand, was close to falling from exhaustion built up from the day prior. Maybe she should have rested, but she knew it wouldn’t have been worth losing what was happening here.

  Another twenty minutes. Abigail was running out of breath despite the slow walk. She could recognize where Kaia was heading: right to the heart of the territory. Abigail could only hope she had nothing to do there and would change directions soon. Kalen’s energy force was really strong there, and although not defenseless, disturbing it in anyway could send him into distress. And unless the girl wanted any kind of trouble, she wouldn’t go there. She decided that she wouldn’t confront or attack Kaia. She was in no shape and did not want to be stupid. In this state, she could only observe her.

  ***

  Nina shifted in her sleep. She felt uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable. Her skin felt warm, as if she was placed too close to a fire. But she felt the bedsheets around her, cold and dry. She wasn’t sweating.

  She couldn’t open her eyes. A sinister presence inside had latched onto her consciousness and was dragging away elsewhere. Nina didn’t understand how or when she became conscious to realize this, but she knew she wasn’t aslee
p anymore.

  Her heart started to act up at the thought of her baby being put in the way of danger because of this. She tried so hard to move her limbs and shake Kevin awake, but lifting her arm felt like moving it through thick honey – slow and an immense effort. She had to warn him and get Dahlia out of possible harm’s way. But she couldn’t…

  She was falling. Her chest felt light and her body limp. She knew she was still in bed, but her body felt as if it was falling through air, sending her into a panic. Her limbs felt hollow and too dead to respond at all. Was it something she ate? Was her mind being infiltrated? She couldn’t even tell if she was falling anymore, or flying. There was no sense of direction.

  Everything stopped. Everything went blank. So blank, there wasn’t even any black to see. No darkness, no nothing. Emptiness for miles on end. Blind. All sense of feeling started to leave her body, oozing out starting right from her heart, slipping out of her fingers. And she felt empty. She didn’t even feel empty, she felt nothing. As if she had died. As if she did not exist anymore. But the only thing that remained was her consciousness.

  She fell again, and her back hit the ground with a light thud. Eyes flying open, her vision flooded with darkness, filling up all where she saw nothing, but in an unrecognizable place. She was on hard ground, not her bed. Her body burned as feeling returned to it. The sensation and experience left her completely bewildered and gasping for air as her back catapulted, throwing her into a sitting position.

  She clutched her chest as air returned to it painfully, as if her lungs were filling up with fire. But it was soon to subside, and she panted for clean, cool air, yearning for that of the fairy territory. Her skin cooled down as it broke out in sweat dampening her near naked form. She had nothing on except for a flimsy grey piece that reached her mid-thigh. She didn’t remember going to bed this way.